New fines ‘fund budget’
NEW speeding fines set to come into effect on July 1 are not about saving lives but raising revenue, a North Queensland politician has said.
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto believes the state government’s move to increase speeding fines won’t reduce the number of deaths on the road, suggesting it instead introduce more driver education and mandatory warning signs for roadside speed cameras. Mr Dametto said the fine increases, which now start at $287 and increase from there, was nothing more than a cash grab.
“In no way am I condoning the act of speeding and breaking the law, but the fact these penalties have increased by such a margin is less about deterring motorists and more about finding a way to fund the state government’s 2022-23 budget,” Mr Dametto said.
“Our state already has a ridiculously high SPER debt. Just a few weeks ago, the Townsville Bulletin reported almost $55m is owed in North Queensland alone and these increased fines are only going to add to that number.”
State Transport Minister Mark Bailey has been unapologetic about the increase, saying Queensland’s road toll was the worst it had been in a decade.
“Speeding, running red lights and failing to wear seatbelts are all major contributors to our road toll,” Mr Bailey said. “When there are more people on the roads, all racing to be with family or friends, we often see a spike in this dangerous behaviour.
“To encourage safer driving and deter these risky behaviours, those who choose to do the wrong thing will face significantly higher penalties for some high-risk offences from July 1.”
However, Mr Dametto, the Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader, said most motorists fined had not gone out on the road with the intention of breaking the rules.
“Continuing to ratchet up fines on good and hardworking Queenslanders who might have a lapse of concentration resulting in the slip of the throttle is not the way to fix things,” Mr Dametto said.
“Speed camera awareness signage actually enables motorists to think about the consequences of not only the fine that could be coming in the mail from a roadside or fixed flash-for-cash, but the consequences breaking the law could have had on their own and other people’s lives.
“From experience we all know being pulled up by a police officer leaves a longer lasting effect when it comes to correcting motorists’ behaviour, to many people receiving a fine 28 days after the fact is no different to receiving any other bill.”
Mr Dametto said people could not afford the increase in fines considering the cost of living skyrocketing.